When Andrei Kirilenko decided to bolt the Minnesota Timberwolves for the Brooklyn Nets it was impossible for him to leave unnoticed.

This was not because of what he meant to the Wolves although his defense and rebounding ability meant plenty. And his offensive prowess wasn't the burning topic either although Kirilenko is a noted passer and finishes well around the rim.

As is often the case in business it was about money—$10 million in Kirilenko's case. The Nets forward turned down a large payday in Minnesota to take the $3.1 million mini mid-level exception in Brooklyn.

This turned heads in the NBA and caused the league office to look into the legitimacy of the deal. In the end the Nets were found to have committed no wrongdoing according to the New York Post.

Which leaves one to wonder why Kirilenko decided to leave $7 million on the table. Marc Fleisher Kirilenko's agent spoke to his decision to sign with the Nets. He did not want to mention the investigation according to The Post.